PVAM wire: description and characteristics

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

For the transmission of electricity, wires are mainly used from copper conductors, since copper has a lower value of resistance to electric current. One of the common types is the PVAM wire. This type of wire is used to power automotive equipment.

PVAM wire

The wires have one conductive core made of copper and consisting of many small wires twisted together. Due to the numerous wires, the flexibility of the cable increases and the resistance to electric current decreases. The insulation is made of polyvinyl chloride. Depending on the operating conditions, it is performed in three types:

• For high temperature conditions, the insulation is made heat-resistant, the test temperature is slightly higher than the operating temperature.
• For applications with low ambient temperatures, the insulation is made frost-resistant, and during testing, a temperature slightly lower than that at which the cable will be operated.
• For conditions with significantly increasedtemperature, in order to avoid ignition of the insulation, it is performed specifically for fire-hazardous premises and mechanisms: in its manufacture, polyvinyl chloride with reduced flammability is used. Such wires are used to power electrical equipment near parts of mechanisms with elevated temperatures.

Insulation is painted in one or more colors depending on the conditions and requirements of the customer. The main color always occupies more than 50% of the colored insulation of the PVAM wire. The auxiliary color is sometimes made from several different colored stripes parallel to each other.

For special operating conditions, a screen is used. This is required for the transmission of signal pulses in order to reduce losses when passing through the PVAM wire. A screen is made of thin copper wire in the form of a braided mesh tinned with tin solder. Sometimes the screen is made in the form of a foil film.

Features

PVAM wire has the following characteristics:

• operation temperature range from -40 to +105 °С;
• at elevated temperatures up to 125°C, the wires are able to withstand up to 48 hours, and at a temperature of 150°C - for 15 minutes;
• at a temperature of +80 °C, the wires are not subject to deformation;
• wires are not subject to deformation during bending, abrasion, creases, twisting;
• Building length during manufacture does not exceed 100 m;
• service life is up to 8 years, subject to operating conditions, the warranty period is 3 years;
• maximum availableoperating voltage - 5 kV;
• unaffected by various chemicals and mildew.

Deciphering the markings

When deciphering the marking of any cable products, you should pay attention to the letter designation. For this PVAM wire, the following values correspond:

• P - indicates wire;
• B - means increased flexibility of the wire or cable;
• A - means the scope of this wire, namely, autotractor;
• M - this wire has a copper conductor.

At the end of the alphabetic values, a numerical indicator of the diameter of the cross section of the copper core is indicated. Sometimes, after the cross-section value, the GOST value is indicated, according to which the wire was produced and tested.

Application

PGVA or PVAM wires are designed to transmit electricity in automotive and tractor equipment, as well as in other road transport mechanisms. This wire has one conductive core and is used to transmit low voltage up to 48 V DC. They are used in areas with high temperatures. Before being used at the factory, the PVAM wire is tested according to the climatic conditions during operation. Sometimes, according to customer requirements, these wires are made with a shielding coating.

This type of wire is designed to power equipment in temperate, tropical and cold climates.